[One case of severe exogenous lipoid pneumonia complicated with lung abscess caused by diesel inhalation].

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is an inflammatory response to the lungs caused by inhaled lipid substances, which is prone to secondary bacterial infection, resulting in the formation of local abscesses, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. This paper reports a case of a 55-year-old patient with diesel aspiration, secondary to Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL positive) and Candida glabrata infection resulting in lung abscess formation. He was treated with a variety of antibacterial drugs for anti-infection, non-invasive ventilator ventilation, bronchoalveolar lavage, glucocorticoids, phlegm and other medical treatments. Finally, he underwent middle lobectomy for improvement and was discharged from the hospital, and he recovered well with regular follow-up.

[Study on the diagnostic value of transient elastography, APRI and FIB-4 for liver fibrosis in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of transient elastography, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis index based on 4 factors (FIB-4) for liver fibrosis in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Hunan Children's Hospital between August 2015 to October 2020 to collect liver tissue pathological and clinical data. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze the diagnostic value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), APRI and FIB-4 in the diagnosis of different stages of liver fibrosis caused by NAFLD in children. Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of LSM, APRI and FIB-4 for diagnosing liver fibrosis (S≥1) were 0.701 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.579 ~ 0.822, P = 0.011], 0.606 (95%CI: 0.436 ~ 0.775, P = 0.182), and 0.568 (95%CI: 0.397 ~ 0.740, P = 0.387), respectively. The best cut-off values were 6.65 kPa, 21.20, and 0.18, respectively. The AUCs value of LSM, APRI, and FIB-4 for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis (S≥ 2) were 0.660 (95% CI: 0.552 ~ 0.768, P = 0.006), 0.578 (95% CI: 0.464 ~ 0.691, P = 0.182) and 0.541 (95% CI: 0.427 ~ 0.655, P = 0.482), respectively. The best cut-off values were 7.35kpa, 24.78 and 0.22, respectively. The AUCs value of LSM, APRI and FIB-4 for the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis (S≥ 3) were 0.639 (95% CI: 0.446 ~ 0.832, P = 0.134), 0.613 (95% CI: 0.447 ~ 0.779, P = 0.223) and 0.587 (95% CI: 0.411 ~ 0.764, P = 0.346), respectively. The best cut-off values were 8.55kpa, 26.66 and 0.27, respectively. Conclusion: The transient elastography technique has a better diagnostic value than APRI and FIB-4 for liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD.

Self-report oral health and disease experience among adults in China and NZ.

OBJECTIVES: Differences in oral health perceptions complicate comparisons of self-reported oral health in countries with considerably different cultures, traditions, and dental care. We compared it in China and New Zealand (NZ), to determine whether adults in those countries differ in how self-report oral health item responses distinguish those with different clinical oral disease states. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of representative data on dentate 35-44-year-olds and 65-74-year-olds from the 3rd National Oral Health Survey of China in 2005 (for Sichuan province) and the NZ Oral Health Survey in 2009. Self-rated oral health in the Chinese survey was assessed by asking "Overall, how would you rate your oral health?"(responses: "Very poor," "Poor," "Fair," "Good," and "Very good"). The NZ survey asked "How would you describe the health of your teeth or mouth?" (responses: "Excellent," "Very good," "Good," "Fair," or "Poor"). To enable comparability, these were combined to create a four-category ordinal measure of self-reported oral health. The slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII) determined the extent to which the four-category self-report item distinguished those with better or poorer oral status. RESULTS: A higher proportion of Chinese than NZ 35-44-year-olds rated their oral health as poor or fair, and the NZ proportion rating their oral health as very good was four times that observed among Chinese. The 65-74-year-olds differed even more in their overall responses. For most aspects of clinical disease experience, the two populations were responding similarly to the self-reported oral health item, although the SII and RII values were more pronounced among 35-44-year-olds in NZ than in China; among 65-74-year-olds, both countries were more similar. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese and NZ adults' self-ratings reflect their oral disease experience in largely similar ways, despite considerable absolute differences. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings support the cross-cultural applicability of self-report oral health measures.

Long non-coding RNA CCAT1 promotes the migration and invasion of prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA CCAT1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of prostate cancer PC-3 cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of CCAT1 was detected by Real-time PCR. The effect of CCAT1 down-regulation on the proliferation of PC-3 cells was observed by MTT assay. The regulatory of CCAT1 low-expression on the migration ability of PC-3 cells was investigated by transwell assay. The influence of decreased CCAT1 on the invasion ability of PC-3 cells was detected by  Matrigel invasion assay. RESULTS: Increased CCAT1 was significantly related to lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer. Low-expression of CCAT1 could suppress cell proliferation. Knockdown of CCAT1 inhibited the migration of PC-3 cells. Down-regulation of CCAT1 attenuated the invasion of PC-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: CCAT1 promoted the growth and the metastasis of prostate cancer. Our findings might provide a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Validation of the Pain Resilience Scale in Chinese-speaking patients with temporomandibular disorders pain.

To validate the Pain Resilience Scale (PRS) for use in Chinese patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain. According to international guidelines, the original PRS was first translated and cross-culturally adapted to formulate the Chinese version of PRS (PRS-C). A total of 152 patients with TMD pain were recruited to complete series of questionnaires. Reliability of the PRS-C was investigated using internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Validity of the PRS-C was calculated using cross-cultural validity and convergent validity. Cross-cultural validity was evaluated by examining the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). And convergent validity was examined through correlating the PRS-C scores with scores of 2 commonly used pain-related measures (the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC] and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia for Temporomandibular Disorders [TSK-TMD]). The PRS-C had a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and good test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.81). The CFA supported a 2-factor model for the PRS-C with acceptable fit to the data. The fit indices were chi-square/DF = 2.21, GFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.97, CFI = 0.98 and RMSEA = 0.08. As regards convergent validity, the PRS-C evidenced moderate-to-good relationships with the CD-RISC and the TSK-TMD. The PRS-C shows good psychometric properties and could be considered as a reliable and valid measure to evaluate pain-related resilience in patients with TMD pain.

[Discussion of N staging category of the eighth edition of The AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System].

AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System, 8(th) edition will be implemented on January 1, 2018. The N staging in 8(th) edition of staging system remains following 7(th) edition based on the number of metastatic nodes, except the limited revision of the regional lymph node map. N staging revision was reviewed from the simple definition of negative (N0) and positive (N1) lymph node(s) to the positive node number based proposal (7(th) edition). The 7(th) edition staging system, especially the N staging, were proved with more advantages on distinguishing disease progression and predicting prognosis of the esophageal cancer. On other hand, the disadvantages of 7(th) edition N staging are discussed. The refined N staging based on the number of metastatic node station is introduced. The extent and station of metastatic node could better reflect the disease progression and prognosis according to our research. The controversy on N staging of esophagogastric junction cancer is discussed as well. Other reported N staging associated index including lymph node ratio, lymphatic vessel invasion and biomarkers are reviewed and evaluated.

[Application of laparoscopic transection of median hepatic fissure in difficult laparoscopic liver resections].

Objective: The aim was to explore the strategy and clinical value of laparoscopic transection of median hepatic fissure (MHF) in difficult laparoscopic liver resections. Methods: First the MHF was located and marked, then the transection plane of the MHF was set. Next, the laparoscopic Multifuctional Operative Dissector (LPMOD) and the technique of curettage and aspiration were utilized to transect the liver beginning from the middle portion of the gallbladder fossa, in a caudal-to-cranial and anterior-to-posterior direction, until the clear exposure of the anterior surface of the intrahepatic inferior vena cava. Transection of the MHF was accurately achieved. Finally, dissection of the second and third porta hepatis were carefully performed and mobilization of the transected liver was achieved. This technique of laparoscopic transection of MHF was successfully performed in 13 patients in difficult laparoscopic liver resections. Results: Between April 2014 and August 2015, 13 patients received the technique of laparoscopic transection of MHF in difficult laparoscopic liver resections, including 10 cases of laparoscopic right hepatectomy, two cases of laparoscopic left hepatectomy and one case of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). The maximum size of the transected tumor was 15 centimeter. Duration of surgery was 240-430 min[Mean, 324.4±50.0]; the time for transection of the MHF was 40-118 min[mean, 66.4±22.7]. Blood loss was 200-2 000 ml[583.3±452.9]. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 6-25 days[mean, 13.2±5.2]. Seven patients received intraoperative transfusions. No postoperative intraabdominal bleeding, liver failure or other severe postoperative complications occurred. No perioperative death occurred. Conclusions: Application of laparoscopic transection of the MHF in difficult laparoscopic liver resections can help to clearly expose the second and third porta hepatis, especially in patients who have huge tumors and poor exposure for hepatic dissection. Moreover, precise location and transection of the MHF remains very important strategies of applying this technique.

Development of the Chinese version of the Oro-facial Esthetic Scale.

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Oro-facial Esthetic Scale among Chinese-speaking patients. The original Oro-facial Esthetic Scale was cross-culturally adapted in accordance with the international standards to develop a Chinese version (OES-C). Unlike the original Oro-facial Esthetic Scale, the version employed in this study used a 5-point Likert scale with items rated from unsatisfactory to most satisfactory. Psychometric evaluation included the reliability and validity of the OES-C. The reliability of the OES-C was determined through internal consistency and test-retest methods. The validity of OES-C was analysed by content validity, discriminative validity, construct validity and convergent validity. The corrected item-total correlation coefficients of the OES-C ranged from 0·859 to 0·910. The inter-item correlation coefficients between each two of the eight items of the OES-C ranged from 0·766 to 0·922. The values of ICC ranged from 0·79 (95% CI = 0·54-0·98) to 0·93 (95% CI = 0·87-0·99), indicating an excellent agreement. Construct validity was proved by the presence of one-factor structure that accounted for 83·507% of the variance and fitted well into the model. Convergent validity was confirmed by the association between OES-C scores and self-reported oral aesthetics and three questions from the Oral Health Impact Profile related to aesthetics (correlation coefficients ranged from -0·830 to -0·702, P < 0·001). OES-C scores discriminated aesthetically impaired patients from healthy controls. This study provides preliminary evidence concerning the reliability and validity of the OES-C. The results show that the OES-C may be a useful tool for assessment of oro-facial esthetics in China.

A multicentre study to implement nutritional risk screening and evaluate clinical outcome and quality of life in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To implement nutritional risk screening and evaluate the relationship of nutritional risk to complication rate and quality of life in patients with cancer. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 687 patients with cancer from two teaching hospitals in China were consecutively enrolled. Data were collected on the nutritional risk screening, application of nutritional support, complication and quality of life. RESULTS: The prevalence of nutritional risk at admission among the total, younger and elderly patients was 45.6%, 38.7% and 58.0%, respectively. There was a significant increase in the prevalence from admission to 2 weeks after admission in all patients (P=0.011). The prevalence in those patients ≥70 years was significantly higher than that in the younger ones (P<0.001). The highest prevalence of nutritional risk was in pancreas cancer (81.8%). Only 46.7% of at-risk patients received nutritional support and the average PN:EN ratio was 7.0:1. Complications were noted in 29.0% of all patients and were significantly more frequent in 'at-risk' patients (P<0.001). Among the scales of quality of life (SF-36), the scores of physical functioning (P<0.001), role-physical (P<0.001), bodily pain (P=0.012), energy/fatigue (P<0.001) and general health (P<0.001) were significant lower in the patients at risk. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of cancer inpatients were at nutritional risk and tended to worsen during the course of admission, which has been associated with increased complication rate and lower scores of quality of life. The application of PN and EN was inappropriate in patients with cancer in China.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Halitosis Associated Life-quality Test (HALT) questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Halitosis Associated Life-quality Test (HALT) questionnaire. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with oral malodour were recruited to complete the questionnaire after its translation and cross-cultural adaptation. The reliability of the Chinese version of the HALT was evaluated using internal consistency and test-retest methods. Both construct validity and discriminative validity were adopted to evaluate the validity of the HALT. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha value (internal reliability) for the total HALT score was 0.95, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value (test-retest reliability) was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.74-0.98). The construct validity was determined by exploratory factor analysis. Four factors were extracted, which accounted for 85.18% of the variance. All items had factor loadings above 0.40, ranging from 0.53 to 0.94. In addition, the Chinese version of the HALT was found to be valid for distinguishing patients with different degrees of oral malodour. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the Chinese version of the HALT has satisfactory psychometric properties and is applicable to patients with oral malodour in Chinese-speaking populations.

Genetic loci mapping associated with maize kernel number per ear based on a recombinant inbred line population grown under different nitrogen regimes.

Kernel number per ear (KNE) is one of the most important yield-related agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays). To clarify its genetic basis, we made a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of KNE in a recombinant inbred line population derived from lines Mo17 and Huangzao4, under two nitrogen (N) regimes. Seven QTLs, on chromosomes 4, 6 and 9, were mapped under the high N regime, which explained phenotypic variation ranging from 5.03 to 15.49%. Under the low N regime, three QTLs were located on chromosomes 6 and 9, which accounted for phenotypic variation ranging from 8.54 to 12.21%. These QTLs had different mapping intervals to their nearest markers, ranging from 0 to 16.5 cM. According to the chromosome positions and genetic effects of these QTLs, only seven QTLs for KNE were identified in our experiment, out of which three were found under both N regimes, on chromosomes 6 (one) and 9 (two); the other four were mapped only under the high N regime, on chromosomes 4 (three) and 6 (one). This information could be useful for developing marker-assisted selection in maize-breeding projects.

Mechanical properties of a biodegradable bone regeneration scaffold.

Poly (Propylene Fumarate) (PPF), a novel, bulk erosion, biodegradable polymer, has been shown to have osteoconductive effects in vivo when used as a bone regeneration scaffold (Peter, S. J., Suggs, L. J., Yaszemski, M. J., Engel, P. S., and Mikos, A. J., 1999, J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed., 10, pp. 363-373). The material properties of the polymer allow it to be injected into irregularly shaped voids in vivo and provide mechanical stability as well as function as a bone regeneration scaffold. We fabricated a series of biomaterial composites, comprised of varying quantities of PPF, NaCl and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), into the shape of right circular cylinders and tested the mechanical properties in four-point bending and compression. The mean modulus of elasticity in compression (Ec) was 1204.2 MPa (SD 32.2) and the mean modulus of elasticity in bending (Eb) was 1274.7 MPa (SD 125.7). All of the moduli were on the order of magnitude of trabecular bone. Changing the level of NaCl from 20 to 40 percent, by mass, did not decrease Ec and Eb significantly, but did decrease bending and compressive strength significantly. Increasing the beta-TCP from 0.25 g/g PPF to 0.5 g/g PPF increased all of the measured mechanical properties of PPF/NVP composites. These results indicate that this biodegradable polymer composite is an attractive candidate for use as a replacement scaffold for trabecular bone.

[Levels of plasma TF and TFPI activities in patients with acute leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of plasma tissue factor(TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor(TFPI) activities in the patients with acute leukemia. METHODS: TF and TFPI activities were measured by using chromogenic assays. RESULTS: Plasma TF activity in the patients with acute leukemia was higher and TFPI activity was lower than those in normal(P < 0.01). In 7 patients who underwent the first chemotherapy, the plasma TF activity was decreased after chemotherapy(P < 0.01), while TFPI activity increased(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The unbalance between plasma TF and TFPI activities contributes to the coagulant disorders in acute leukemia.

["Bu-yang huanwu tang" inhibited the pathogentic process of atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol-rich diet in rabbits].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: "Bu-yang huanwu tang", a decoction of Chinese herbs widely used in the treatment for cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases, has been demonstrated to be able to inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation, to lower blood lipids, to regulate vascular tone from animal experiments. The aim of this study is to determine whether this decoction inhibits the pathogentic process of atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol-rich diet in rabbits. METHODS: Three groups of rabbits received the following different diets for 9 weeks: 1. standard diet; 2. atherogenic diet(standard diet plus 1% cholesterol and 3.3% fat); 3. atherogenic diet plus this decoction(5 g.kg-1.d-1). Plasma lipids, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, endothelin levels were detected and the histological atherosclerotic changes were evaluated. RESULTS: This decoction inhibited the progression of aortic and abdominal aortic intimal plaques and reduced aortic intimal thickening. CONCLUSION: The anti-atherogenic mechanism might be related to the decrease of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and the increase of PGI2. The facts suggest that "Bu-yang huanwu tang" has antiatherogenic and antithrombotic effects.

[The development of a multifunctional molecular electrophoretograms processing system].

This paper presents to you the principles, composition and features of the multifunctional molecular electrophoretograms processing system.

[Revision of the biological significance of the contact system].

Current concept of blood coagulation is divided into two stages: an "initiation" stage which is handled by tissue factor pathway, and an "augmentation" stage handled by intrinsic pathway beginning in factor XI. Recent studies have demonstrated that the contact system is a modulator for vascular biology with vascular tone regulation, anticoagulant, profibrinolytic, antiadhesive and proinflammatory functions. Changes of contact system are associated with sepsis, thrombosis, etc.

[Expression of tissue factor of astrocytes and its signal transductional pathways].

The aim of this study was to observe the expression of tissue factor (TF) of astrocytes in basic culture medium and under the condition stimulated by thrombin and to explore the relevant signal transduction pathways. The results showed that 4-bromo calcium ionophore (A23187) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) enhanced significantly the TF expression of astrocytes, but the expression was decreased markedly by trifluoperazine (TFP) and 1-(5-isoquinolinyl sulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H7) in the basic medium. Thrombin increased significantly the TF expression of astrocytes, which was obviously inhibited by TFP and H7. The results above indicate that astrocytes can express TF activity in the basic medium, which is promoted by thrombin, probably through some pathways involving Ca2+/CaM and protein kinase C (PKC).

[Roles of intercellar Ca2+ and protein kinase C played in tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue factor expression in human umbilic vein endothelial cells].

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the roles that protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium played in the tissue factor (TF) synthesis and tissue factor pathway inhibitory (TFPI) release in human umbilic vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A23187 was used to represent calcium ionophore and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as that of PKC activator. TF activity in the lysed HUVEC was measured using one stage clotting assay. TFPI activity in the conditioned medium of HUVEC was assessed by the two-step chromogenic method. The results showed that the TF activities in A23187, PMA and A23187 + PMA groups were remarkably higher (P < 0.01) than that in control. Among the three treated groups, the TF activities in both A23187 group and A23187 + PMA group were lower than that in the PMA group (P < 0.05), but the difference between the former two groups was statically insignificant (P > 0.05). In contrast to the control group, the TFPI activity in the A23187 group was not statistically different (P > 0.05). However, the TFPI activities in the PMA group and the A23187 + PMA group were markedly higher than those in the control group and the A23187 group (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that PKC and calcium ion promote TF synthesis in HUVEC but the effect of the former is stronger than that of the latter, and that the release of TFPI from HUVEC is facilitated by PKC and not significantly affected by calcium ion.